Portable elevating apparatus



Get. 21 a924,.

W. s. YOUNG PORTABLE ELEVATING APPARATUS Filed June so 192] 3 Sheets-Sheet l \NvE-NTOR WH-F-RED 6. Yoomq.

M44 VQAA v w. s. YOUNG PORTABLE ELEVATING APPARATUS Filed June 50. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTYS.

W. S. YOUNG PORTABLE EL EVATING APPARATUS Filed June 30. 192] 5 Sheets-Sheet- INVENTORI Patente 21 1924.

" S. YOUNG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ECONOMY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

' ronrannn nnnvarme arr'rus.

Application filed June 30, 1921. Serial-No. 481,564.

To all whom it may concern:

I Be it known that I, WILFRED S. YOUNG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in 'the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Elevating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The invention-relates to machines of the type generally known as tiering machines, which are adapted. for use in warehouses and similar places for raisin and lowering bundles, bales, boxes and t e like in the operation of stacking the same in tiers for the purposes of storage, and unstacking them upon removal from the warehouses.

The aim of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described which is very simple in construction and adapted for convenient and eficient operation.

One object of the invention is to provide a tiering machine which is capable of operation either by motive power or hand power as may be desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which is operable manually or.by motive power and in which a single brake mechanism iscapable of sustaining the load at the desired elevation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a brake mechanism of the character set forth which is of an extremelysimple construction and automatic in operation.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made to the'accompanying.drawings wherein I have'illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that while only one embodiment is illustrated, the invention is not to be limited in the interpretation of the appended claims toany particular form, construction and arrangement except as may be necessitated by the state ofthe prior art.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentar side elevation of a tiering machine embo ying my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view on an enlarged scale illustrating a portion of the brake mechanism. Fig. 3 is a plan view on an enlarged scale, of the operating mechanism, the upper portion of the frame being shown in section. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially inthe plane of line 4 -4 of Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views taken on an enlarged scale substantially in the plane of line 5-6 of Fig. 3, and illustrating the parts in different operative positions. Fig. 7 is a perspectlve view illustrating one of the cams employed in the brake mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the machine comprises generally a base frame 8 mounted upon rear wheels 9 and a forward leg 10. A forward caster wheel 11.is rigid with a draw bar or handle 12 and is adapted upon operation to raise the frame so as to carry the leg 10 from ofi the floor. frame 13 is carried by the base frame 8 and this frame constitutes a guide for a platform 14 which is connected by means of a cable 15 with a winding drum 16. The latter is suitably journaled in the framework 17 of the machine of which the base frame 8 and the upright frame 13 forms a part, the drum being provided with a suitable shaft 18 for An upright nnemnname this purpose. An electric motor 19 or other suitable source of motive power is supported upon the base frame 8 and is operatively connected with the drum 16 so as to be capable of winding the cable 15 in the operation of raising and lowering the platform.

The means for thus operatively connecting the motor 19 with the drum 16 comprises a main shaft 20 driven from a counter shaft 21 which, in turn is driven from the motor. To this end, the motor shaft is pro.- vided with a sprocket wheel 22 connected by means of a chain 23 with a sprocket 24 fixed upon the countershaft. A second sprocket 25 on the countershaft is connected b means of chain 26 with a sprocket 27 u on t e main or driven shaft. The main's aft 20 has keyed thereon a pinion 28 which meshes with a spur gear 29 fixed upon the drum shaft 18. Thus when the. shaft 20 is actuated rotation is imparted to the winding drum 16. It will be understood that the driving connections thus described are suitably proportioned to give the desired speed to the drum.

The shaft 20 is also adapted to be driven manually as-by means of a crank 30, and the arrangement is. such that the shaft may be" rotated. either manually or by motive power as may be desired, the two driving means being independent of each other.

upon the shaft 20 and normally engaged constitute a toggle such that the brake band by a brake band 32 (Fig. 2) which is manually operable by means of a hand lever 33 (Fig. 1) mounted on a bracket 32 and operable to release the brake drum for rotat-ion. Herein the brake band 32 is shown as constructed in two sections pivoted at their lower ends as at 34 and connected at their upper ends by means of a rod 35 carrying a pair of nuts 36 on its opposite ends and a pair of springs 37 interposed between-the respective nuts and sections of the band whereby normally to cause the band to engage the drum. A. toggle linkage 38 is interposed between the upper ends of the sections of the band, and an operating rod 39 connected with said linkage is arranged to be operated by means of the lever 33 through suitable connections comprising a lever 40 and a link 41, the lever 33 bein formed at its lower end to provide a bel crank with which the link 41 is connected. The lever 40 is fulcrumed upon a bracket 42 suitably mounted upon the framework of the machine, and it will be seen that the link 41 and the lower end of the lever 33 may be operated with substantial ease to release it from the drum 31.

Operatively associated with the drum 31 is a pair of brake members 43 and 44, and means is provided whereby when the shaft is rotated eitherby motive power transmitted to the sprocket 27, or by hand power applied through the medium of the crank 30, said brake members release the drum for operation with the shaft independently of the drum. This means comprises a sleeve 45 keyed upon the inner end of the shaft 20 and held against endwise movement thereon by means of a nut 46. Said sleeve 45 at is forward end is provided with a cam disk 47 here-in formed integral with the sleeve. The brake member 44 has formed rigid therewith a cam sleeve 48 and said disk and sleeve are provided with complementary cam faces 49 such that when the shaft 20 is rotated in a direction to raise the load, the cam disk 47 moves with reference to the cam sleeve 48 so that their cam faces 49 coact to permit of the movement of the brake member 44 away from the drum 31 and the consequent movement of the drum 31 away from the [brake member 43, as shown in Fig. 5. Preferably each of these brake members 43 and 44 are provided with suitable facings 50 so as to increase their gripping efi'ect upon the sides of the drum. lhe latter is herein constructed as shown so as to permit the association of the brake members 43 and 44 with a central disk portion of the drum, in compact relationship Within the peripheral band of the drum.

If now the shaft 20 should be reversed by the weight of the load acting through the sprocket wheel 27, it will be apparent that rsraseo the parts will assume the position shown in Fig 6 wherein the brake members 43 and 44 o rat-ively engage the drum 31 so as to be eld stationary thereby, with the result that the shaft is also held stationary. Also it will be apparent that the brake members 43 and 44 constitute in efi'ect a. friction clutch operating to produce a gradually efi'ective connection between the brake drum and the shaft.

Upon the forward end of the shaft 20 cam faces 49 above referred to, are provided upon the adjacent end of the sleeves 51 and 53, and the arrangement/is such that when the sleeve 51 is rotated through the operation of the crank, 30, the cam faces permit of the inward movement of'the brake disk 54 toward the brake member 55 and hence into non-rotative relation thereto. Thus movement is imparted to the sprocket wheel 27 and through its associated connections to the winding drum 16. In this rotation of the shaft 20, the brake members 43 and 44 are released from the drum 31, as above set forth, so that the shaft 20 isleft free to rotate. The disk 54 preferably has a facing 50.

, The brake disk 54 preferably is provided upon its periphery with ratchet teeth 57 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 58 (Fig. 4) which is suitably mounted in the frame- Work 17. If now the sprocket wheel 27 should be rotated reversely by the action of gravity upon the load carried by the platform 14, it will be apparent'that the pawl 58 engaging with the ratchet teeth 57 will hold the latter stationary, and the shaft 20 in such rotation will cause the sleeve 51 to rotate reversely until the cam faces 56 are moved into the relationship shown in Fig. 5. In this position of the parts, it will be observed, the brake disk 54 is permitted to move away from the brake member 55, and in such reverse operation of the shaft 20 the brake members 43-and 44 are caused to engage the drum 31 and lock the shaft against rotation and hence the platform against downward movement as hereinbefore set forth.

lit will thus be seen that the shaft 20 may be rotated either by motive power supplied by an electric motor and its operating connections, or by hand power supplied through the crank 30; and that irrespective of whether the one form of power or the other is employed, the brake mechanism functions the same in each case, viz, to permit of the rotation of the shaft to lift the load, but operatively to engage the brake drum immediately upon the reversal of rotation of the shaft by the operation of gravity whereby to sustain the load in the desired elevated position. \V hen it is desired to permit the load to descend, this may of course be accomplished through the operation of the brake release lever 33.

\Vhen the shaft 20 is rotated through the operation of the sprocket 27 by motive power, the crank 30 remains stationary by reason of the movement of the brake disk- 7 54 away from the brake member 55, as permitted by the cam faces 56. Thus the danger of damage to the operator by reason of a constantly rotating crank is eliminated. Oh the other hand, when the shaft 20 is rotated by the manual means, the sprocket 27 is also rotated so that means is provided for disconnecting the sprocket from the motor. This means may comprise a suitable clutch 59 interposed in the countershaft 21 and operable by means of a hand lever 60 through the medium of a collar 62 in the usual way, the lever being fulcrumed upon a bracket 61.

The clutch 59 is also adapted to be operated automatically when the platform attains a predetermined height so as to disconnect themot'ive power actuating means .from the motor. vFor this purpose, I have provided the lever 60 with a rigid rearwardly extending arm 63 (Fig. 1) which is connected with the platform by means of a chain 64.. The parts are so arranged that when the platform attains the predetermined height, the chain becomes taut and actuates the lever 60 to throw out the clutch. The chain is herein shown as extending upwardly from the arm 63 a short distance over a cross bar (not shown) of the frame 13, by which it is partially supported when the platform is near the lower end of its movement. 4

It will be seen that I have produced a tiering machine which is of avery practical character. The construction is relatively simple and while capable of operation either manually or by motive power is extremely efiicient in character.

I claim as my invention:

1. An elevating apparatus comprising, in combination, a platform guided for up and down movements, a winding drum with which said platform is operatively connected, and means for rotating said drum to elevate the platform comprising a main shaft, a countershaft, means for applying motive power through the countershaft to said main shaft, and means for applying manual power to the main shaft adapted to remain inoperative during the operation of the shaft 'bya motive power means, said motive and manual power means being operable independently of each other.

2. An elevating apparatuscomprising, in combination, a platform guided for up and down movements, a winding drum with which said platform is 'operatively connected, and means for rotating said drum to elevate the platform comprising a main shaft, a-countershaft, means for applying motive power through the countershaft to said main shaft, means for applying manual power to the main shaft,'said motive and manual power means being operable independently of each other, and brake mechanism associated with said main shaft and including a brake drum, a brake band, and friction means operable automatically to lock the drum to its shaft and hold it against reverse rotation irrespective of the power means employed to rotate it.

3. An elevating apparatus comprising, in combination with a platform mounted for up and down movements, means for causing the platform to move upwardly including a main or driven shaft, and a brake mecha nism including a brake drum, a" brake band, cam means normally operating to cause the band to engage the drum whereby to hold said shaft against reverse rotation, and cam means acting automatically in the rotation of said shaft in a direction to raise the load to release the shaft.

4. An elevating apparatus comprising, in combination with a platform mounted for up and down movements, means for causing the platform to move upwardly including a main or driven shaft, and brake mechanism normally operable to hold said shaft against reverse rotation but acting automaticallyvin the rotation of said shaft in a direction to raise the load to release it from the brake mechanism.

5. An elevating apparatus comprising, in combination, a main or driven shaft, means actuated in the rotation of said shaft to elevate the load, means for rotating said shaft including a motor, a countershaft operatively connected with said motor and said main shaft, brake mechanism associated with said main shaft and operable automatically to release saidshaft to permit its rotation in the direction to raise the load but preventing reverse rotation, and a clutch interposed in the connection between said motor and said main shaft.

6. In an elevating apparatus, the combination of means for raising a load comprising a main shaft, brake mechanism normally acting to hold said shaft against rotation so as to permit the descent of the load, and means operable automatically when said shaft is rotated in'a direction to raise the load to render said brake mechanism inoperative.

7. An elevating apparatus comprising in combination with aplatform, an upright frame in which said platform is guided for up and down movements, a winding drum operatively connected with said platform, means for rotating said winding drum in a direction to raise the platform including a main or driven shaft, a countershaft, a motor, means operatively connecting said countershaft with said main shaft and with said motor, the last mentioned means includ ing a clutch, and brake mechanism operatively associated with said main shaft and operable automatically to release-said shaft to permit of the elevation of the load but prevent reverse rotation whereby to check the descent of the load.

8. An elevating apparatus comprising, in combination with a platform, an upright frame in which said platform isguided for up and down movements, a winding drum operatively connected with said platform, means for rotating said winding drum in a direction to raise the platform including a main or driven shaft, a countershaft, a motor, means operatively connecting said countershaft with said main shaft and with said motor, the'last mentioned means including a clutch, manual means adapted to remain stationary in the rotation of the shaft by the motor but operable to rotate said main shaft at will and brake'mechanism operatively associated with said main shaft and operable automatically to release said shaft to permit of the elevation of the load but preventing reverse rotation of the shaft whereby to check the descent of the load.

. 9. An elevating apparatus comprising, in combination, a load-supporting platform mounted for up and down movements, means for elevating said platform including a main or driven shaft, Ineansfor applying inotive power to said shaft to rotate it in the direction to raise the load, independent means inoperative during the rotation of the shaft by motive power for rotating said shaft manually in the same direction, and a clutch interposed between said shaft and the source of motive power adapted to permit of the rotation of the shaft by hand power.

10. In an elevating apparatus the combination of a main or driven shaft, means operatively connected with a source of motive power to rotate said shaft in one direction, and means for rotating said shaft manually in the same direction including cam means operable by'said manual means to effecta connection between the manual means and said shaft.

11. In an elevating apparatus the combination of a main or driven shaft, two separate means for imparting rotation to said shaft in one direction, one of said means having a permanent connection, with said shaft, and the other of said means being adapted normally to permit of the actuation of the said shaft by the first means, and also operable upon the application of power thereto to effect operative connection between it and the shaft.

12. In an elevating apparatus the combination of a shaft to be driven, two separate means for imparting rotation to said shaft one of said means having a permanent connection with the shaft, and the other one of said means having an operative connection with the shaft efi'ectivc'when power is applied thereto, and brake mechanism normally acting to permit. of the rotation of said shaft in one direction but to hold the shaft against reverse rotation.

13. In an elevating apparatus the combination of a shaft to be driven, two separate means for imparting rotation to said shaft one of said means having a permanent connection with the shaft, and the other one of said means having'an operative connection with the shaft effective when power is applied thereto, and brake mechanism normally acting to permit of the rotation of said shaft in one direction but to hold the shaft against reverse rotation, said brake mechanism comprising cam means operable upon the shaft as it rotates in one direction to effect the release of the shaft from the brake mechanism but operable :upon a reverse rotation of said shaft to again render the brake mech .anism effective.

' 14. In an elevating apparatus the combination of a main or driven shaft, means for rotating said shaft, and brake mechanism operatively associated with said shaft and adapted normally to permit of the rotation of said shaft in one direction but acting upen reverse rotation of the shaft to re-engage it, said means comprising a pair of cam members, and a pair of brake members operable by said cam members toward or away from each other depending upon the direction of rotation of said shaft.

15. In an elevating apparatus the combination of a main or driven shaft, a brake mechanism operatively associated with said shaft and comprising a drum journalled upon theshaft, a brake member movable toward and away from said drum, and cam means comprising a cam sleeve fixed to said shaft and a cam member rigid with said brake member, said cam means being operable to efi'ect a movement of the brake member toward or from the drum'depending upon the direction of rotation of said shaft.

16. In an elevating apparatus the combination of a shaft to be driven, a member fixed to said shaft and operatively connected with a source of motive power, a pair of cam sleeves mounted on said shaft so as to rotate with reference thereto, a member carried by one of said sleeves and adapted to move toward or from said fixed member,

said sleeves having coacting cam faces adapted upon the rotation of said fixed member by motive power to effect the movement of said movable member away from the fixed member, and manual means for rotating one of said sleeves.

17. In an elevating apparatus the combination of a shaft to be driven, two separate and independent means for rotating said shaft in one direction, and brake mechanism operable to permit the rotation of said shaft in said direction but adapted to ch'eck reverse rotation, saidbrake mechanism comprising a movable brake member and cam means for effecting the movement of said brake member in one direction or the other depending upon the direction of rotation of said shaft.

18. In a machine of the character described the combination of a shaft to be driven, means for rotating said shaft in one direction, and brake mechanism operable to permit such rotation to act to check reverse rotation, said brake mechanism comprising a disk journalled on the shaft, a pair of brake members upon opposite sides of said disk, and means for effecting relative movement between said disk and said members either into or out of operative engagement depending upon the direction of rotation of said shaft.

19. In a machine of the character described the combinaltion of a shaft to be driven, means for rotating said shaft in one direction, and brake mechanism operable to permit such rotation to act to check reverse rotation, said brake mechanism comprising a disk journalled on the shaft, a pair of brake members upon opposite sides of said disk, and means for effecting relative movement between said disk and said members ei ther into or out of operative engagement depending upon the direction of rotation of said shaft and comprising a pair of cam members one of which is rigid With one of said brake members and the other of which is fixed to said 'shaft,-said cam members having complementary cam faces operable upon the rotation of the shaft to effect such relative movement between the brake members and said disk.

20. In an elevating apparatus the combination of a driven shaft and two separate means for rotating said shaft, one of said. means including a disk rotatable on the shaft, cam means operable upon the rotation of said shaft in one direction by one of said means to effect a connection between said disk and said shaft and means to permit the rotation of said disk in one direction but preventing its rotation in the opposite direction whereby to render said actuating means inoperative.

21. In an elevating apparatus the combination of a driven shaft and two separate means for rotating said shaft, one of said means including a disk rotatable on the ing cam means therebetween whereby upon the rotation of the third member the second member is moved into operative engagement with the fixed member, and means for retaining said second member against reverse rotation whereby to effect its movement away from said fixed member upon the reverse rotation of the shaft.

23. In an apparatus of the character described the combination of a shaft, to be driven, a member fixed upon said shaft, a second member movable toward and away from the fixed member, and a third member adapted to receive power for rotating the shaft, two of said "members having cam means therebetween whereby upon the rota tion of the third member the second member is moved into operative engagement with the fixed member.

24. An elevating apparatus comprising in combination, a shaft to be driven, a member fixed upon said shaft, a disk having a sleeve and journalled on said shaft, and a second sleeve mounted on said shaft and adapted to be rotated, said sleeves having cam faces adapted upon the rotation of said second sleeve to effect the movement of said disk into operative engagement with said fixed member whereby to effect a connection between said second disk and the shaft.

25. An elevating apparatus comprising in combination, a shaft to be driven, a member fixed upon said shaft, a disk having a sleeve and journalled on said shaft, a second sleeve mounted on said shaft and adapted to be rotated, said sleeves having cam faces adapted upon the rotation of said second sleeve to effect the movement of said disk into operative engagement with said fixed member whereby to effect a connection between said second disk and the shaft, and means for holding said disk against reverse rotation whereby to effect its movement away from' said fixed member.

26. In an apparatus of the character described the. combination of a shaft to be driven, means for rotating said shaft in one direction, and brake mechanism operable automatically to release said shaft whereby to permit such rotation but acting to prevent reverse rotation, said mechanism comprising a drum, a band normally operatively engag ing the drum, and means manually operable to release said band from the drum.

27. In an elevating apparatus, the combination of a driven shaft and means for rotating said shaft including a member rotatable on the shaft, and cam means operable uponthe rotation of said shaft in one direction to effect a connection between said member and said shaft.

28. In an elevating apparatus, the combination of a driven shaft, a member rotatable on the shaft,'a second member'fixed on the shaft, and means operating automatically in the rotation of said-shaft in one direction to effect a connection between said members.

29. In an elevating apparatus, the 00111 bination of a driven shaft, means for operating said shaft by the application of power including a member having a positive connection with the shaft, and mechanism for preventing reverse rotation of the shaft including a brake, and means in the nature of a friction clutch operable to produce a gradually efiective connection between the brake and said shaft.

30. In an elevating apparatus, the combination of a load-carrying platform mounted for up and down movement, means for raising the'platform including a motor and a shaft driven by said motor, and brake mechanism adapted to permit rotation of the shaft in a direction to raise the platform but including friction means for locking the shaft to the brake mechanism whereby to prevent retrograde movement of the platform.

31. In an elevating apparatus, the combination of a shaft, a member'loose on the shaft, a member fixed upon the shaft, and means operable automatically in a relative rotation between the shaft and said member to effect a connection between said member and said shaft.

32. In an elevating apparatus, the combination of a shaft, a member loose on the shaft, a member fixed upon the shaft, and cam means operable in a relative rotation between the shaft and said member to effect a connection between said member and said shaft.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

WILFRED S. YOUNG. 

